Box for cigarettes and like articles



H. H. LEWIS.

BOX FOR CIGARETTES AND LIKE ARTICLES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, 1919.

Patented June 1, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY H. LEWIS, 0F ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOX FOR CIGARETTES AND LIKE ARTICLES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY H. Lnwrs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Attleboro, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boxes for Cigarettes and like Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatically acting boxes primarily intended for holding cigarettes, and adaptable for carrying 01- gars or matches.

The essential objects of my invention are to avoidany visible hinge or externally visible joint or break in the case; to afford a maximum capacity; compactness; and facility of operation;'and to attain these ends in a sightly and inexpensive structure ofsuch dimensions as not to distend the pocket of the user.

To the above ends essentially my invention consists in such parts and in such combinations of parts as fall within the scope of the ap ended claims.

n the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification- Figure 1, is an end elevation of my box in open position,

Fig. 2, a section of the same in closed position taken on line 22 of 1* ig. 1,

Fig. 3, a section of the case on line 33 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4:, an enlarged section on line 44: of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5, is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the views.

In the construction shown my box comprises a main or outer casing 6 consisting of narrow end walls 7, broad side walls 8, a bottom 9, and an open top. Slidably mounted in this case is a receptacle consisting of wall 11 comprising two sections or plates 12 and 13 pivotally connected with each other. The plate or section 12 is of greater dimensions than plate 13 and is provided at its bottom with a longitudinally disposed flange 15, and lateral flanges 16, constituting respectively the floor and part of the sides of the receptacle. The narrow section 13 has lateral flanges 17, and upon its top a longitudinally disposed flange 18 which, like the flange 15, has its outer edge in slidable contact with one wall 8. The wall 11 is in slidable contact with the opposite wall 8. Fast to the flange 18 and cover- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 1 1920 Application filed November 20, 1919. Serial No. 339,254.

ing the same is a cap or cover 19 having hollow projecting end portions 20 provided,

with inturned lips 21.

The joint 23 of the sections 12 and 13 is longitudinally disposed and concealed by the walls 8. The pivotal connection-of these sections comprise interengaging alternating hinge sleeves or knuckles 25 and 26 on sec-- tions 12 and 13 respectively. It is desirable that the section. 13, when released from its adjacent walls 8, should be forced outwardly at an angle to section 12. This result may be attained by spring means. The present and preferred means for this end consists of a metallic rod 28 under torsional stress inclosed by the hinge sleeves and having one end fast in one end sleeve 25 and the other end fast in the opposite end sleeve 26. These ends may be made fast by plugs of solder or other material 30, or otherwise.

The upper and lower sections of the re- 7 ceptacle are upwardly pressed by bow springs 32 fast at the middle points to the floor 9 by solder 33 or otherwise, and having its ends in contact with the floor 15 of the lower receptacle section.

When it is desired to limit possible excessive upward travel of the receptacle, a beveled projection 35 upon one wall 8 is located above a beveled projection 37 upon the section 12 in vertical alinement with the first projection, so that the projections register when the receptacle rises. The resiliency of the material of the walls 12 and 13is sufficient to permit their yielding adjacent the projections to accommodate the latter.

Latches are provided for retaining the cover 19 in engagement with the casing 6 against the upward pressure of the springs 32. Each latch comprises a vertical spring arm 40, fast at its lower end to the inner face of the wall 7 and carrying upon its upper end a beveled hook or lug '42 adapted to extend within the extension 20 of the cover and overlap the lug 21. A hole 44 in the wall 7 loosely admits therethrough a projection 45 on the arm 40.

The operation of my device is as follows. A row of cigarettes 4E7 rest on the floor 15 of the receptacle between the end flanges or walls 16 and 17 of the receptacle and the section walls 12 and 13 of the receptacle and one casing wall 8. The tops of the cigarettes are adjacent the flange 18. When closed the parts are as shown in Fig. 2. To open, the projections 415 are inwardly pressed by the thumb andfinger, thus disengaging the latches, and releasing the receptacle. The latter rises under the influence of springs 32,

and its upper section is simultaneously forced outwardly into horizontal position by the spring 28 exposing the upper portions of the cigarettes for facile withdrawal, as shown in Fig. 1. I

The location of the cover u on the telescoping receptacle rather than upon the exterior' casing; and'the location of the hinge joint between two sections of the receptacle rather than between the cover and the memher to which it is connected, contribute to avoid any exposed joint, hinge, or other irregularity upon the exterior of the casing, and dispenses with'ro'ds or links necessary for holding a pivoted cap or cover. The

' employment of an auxiliary spring acting directly upon the swinging section of the 1 receptacle, and acting'independent'ly' of the receptacle elevating spring or springs,

brings no undue strain upon said section.

' The detailed co'nstructionand arrangement 7 section, a vibratory section pivotally connected with the body section, and a spring engaging both'secti'on's to throw the vibratory sectioninto position at an angle to the casing when ejected therefrom, andresilient means in tl iecas'ing' for forcing the vibratory section through theopening; r r

V 2. In a cigarette box,- a casing provided with an opening, a receptacle mounted in the casing and movable through the opening comprising a body section, a vibratory I opening at one end, a" jointed receptacle bodily movab'le' in the casin a torsional spring connecting the sections of the fecestacle at the joint, anda for forcing the receptaclebo'dily lengthy'x' ise of the easing to move the outer section of the re: ceptacle through the open end of the;cas-. i ng to free the torsional spring to allow it to throw the said outer section entirely out of the casing and at an angle thereto.

45. 'In-acigarette tax, a casing having-an opening at one end, a jointed receptacle bodily movable in the casing, a torsional spring connecting" the sections of the receptacle at the joint and a spring for forcing the receptacle bodily lengthwise of the casing to more" the outer section of the receptacle through the open end of the casing to free the torsional spring to allow it to throw the said outer section entirely out of the casing and at an angle thereto, and cooperating means on the casing and the inner section of the" receptacleto limit the outward movement of the latter. 7

in testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

HENRY LEWIS. 

